Indigo, check!

I first became aware of this bird almost seven years ago when it became THE target bird La Mesa Eco Park together with the Spotted Wood Kingfisher.  These two birds dominated the Manila birding world in September and October 2013.  Even foreign birders came to visit.  And it was also a source of a big social media war - Facebook and Yahoo Groups (yes, it was still being used then), - between bird photographers (mainly WBPP) and other birders who held other views (this was my introduction to this difference of opinion). 

I only saw the Indigo-banded once during that time and while I was happy at capturing a lifer, I was not so happy with my shots.  I saw it again at Bangkong Kahoy in May 2014 and was able to get better shots.  When DRT and Avilon Zoo, came into our consciousness, many birders also got great shots there but not me.  So when I saw a post three weeks ago of an IBKF taken at LMEP, I immediately messaged the poster, Ralf Nabong, a good friend, and asked where he got it.  

On the day that we both shot the White's Thrush, Bong left the mini forest a few minutes ahead.  As I passed the area of the "Gods" on my way out,  I saw him waving at me and pointed the IBKF perch, saying that he heard it a few minutes earlier.  I was already running late so I was not able to stay.  But I made a mental note to come back for it when I had the time.  My chance came a week later.  I arrived at the site a little before 8am and found Prof Ferdie Llanes and Fidel Sy already seated with cameras mounted on tripods and pointed at the usual perch. Within ten minutes of setting up my gear, our target bird arrives and the sound of shutters clicking filled the (still) quiet air.  

Sharing two of the images I was able to create (one without a teleconverter, one with a 1.4x tc). 

Indigo-banded Kingfisher, female

Indigo-banded Kingfisher, big check!  Now where can I photograph the male?

  

Final Shot at Whitey

After three trips to La Mesa Ecopark to shoot the White's Thrush, I was still hot happy with my shots, especially after seeing much nicer photos of said bird perched on a palm tree eating its berries.  When I saw Nes Santiago post his beautiful photos I decided to give it another try.  Ever the gentleman birder, Sir Nes, as we fondly call him, provided me with a detailed direction that will put Google Maps and Waze to shame.  My son and I were scheduled to leave for UST at 6am, travel time 45 mins to one hour, so ETA uste at 7am. Then travel time to LMEP from Uste should be 30-45 mins considering I was going against the traffic. So I thought I will be at LMEP before 8am.  Well, as they say, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry... we both woke up a bit later than usual, which meant we left the house almost 7am, traffic was heavier, etc etc.  I finally reached LMEP around 8:45am, gather my gear together, walk to the mini forest, follow the directions of Sir Nes.  I finally reached the appointed palm tree by 9:00am, and like an X on a treasure map, my target bird was there.  Set the tripod on the ground, point the camera, fire away... 

I had a one hour photo session with this bird who went about its business without minding me.  A far cry from the very skittish bird in January. At one point, several students passed by and stopped for a chat.  I pointed the bird to them and give a short explanation that this was a rare migrant.  After the usual ooohs and aaahs, one of them asked permission to take a cellphone photo of my LCD screen.  

Resident LMEP bird master Prof Ferdie Llanes and good friend Bong Nabong also joined me in the photo session.  We also met Doc Mylene A. Santos, a self confessed newbie birder.  She had a Nikon DSLR wither her took our photos while we were shooting. 

 

Bong suggested to Mylene to attach her camera to either my lens or Prof Ferdie's (we both use Nikon also), and got the surprise of our lives that her camera was a D850!  I quickly detached my camera body and attached her D850 (my dream camera at the moment), to my lens, did a couple of adjustments and fired several shots. And reluctantly returned the camera to Mylene :-). 

Before leaving the Ecopark, I swung by the other palm tree where the Black-chinned Fruit Dove was holding court.  I fired some shots but the lighting was not so good.  Besides we have this bird also in Coron.  I left LMEP a little before 11am , happy and satisfied with my shots of Whitey (finally!).   

 

Another shot at Whitey...

A birder guest of mine once said that bird photographers are the among the most greedy in the world.  First they want a shot, any shot. Then a better one, then a full body, then a full frame of full body in good light in a good perch, etc.  Of course the ultimate would be a frameable and exhibit quality shot. This was said in jest of course but there is a certain grain of truth in it. We all want a better shot. So while I was happy that I was able to photograph the White's Thrush last January 10, I wanted a better one especially since this bird is a rather rare migrant.

I went back to LMEP late afternoon of January 18 but I did not even see the bird. Actually, I did not even see any bird. Hence...

When there are no birds, we make do with whatever Nature presents...

Finding a hole in my schedule yesterday, I decided to try my luck again. I arrived at the park around 1:30pm and met several birders while walking to the mini forest.  We greeted each other with a nod and a smile (I didn't know who they were).  I asked "quota na ba?" (meaning if they already got the White's Thrush).  They answered that it was a no show (oh no!).  And added that Djop (Tabaranza) was still there. I met him near the old stables as he was on his way out. We chatted a bit, he pointed out the fruiting palms and said that he saw the White's Thrush twice but no photos.  I set up my tripod near the fruiting palms and waited.  Waiting is never really my strong suit so after about twenty minutes, I decided to walk a bit and check the area near the "hollow blocks" where we saw the it last January 10.  I was a few meters away from the tip of the "rotunda which is actually a triangle" when I saw a slight movement on the ground on my right... and there he was... set down my tripod, fire a burst, wrong setting (aaargghh!!!), adjust settings (while imploring the birding gods that it does not go away), fire again... bird turns and walks a few steps, fumble at tripod knobs to re-aim, shoot again, bird turns and runs as muggles (non-birders), walk by. I strain my eyes looking at the dark forest floor hoping that it will come back for another round.  But it never did.  Sharing two decent photos...

White's Thrush

When I set out for La Mesa, my goal was to get a full body shot of the White's Thrush, which I accomplished but now I wish that that green blob (which is actually an out of focus leaf) is not there.  Remember what I said about bird photographers being greedy?

I waited for the White's Thrush to show up again and while waiting, LMEP's resident Ashy Ground Thrush entertained me... Thank you Lord for this beautiful and friendly bird...

Ashy Ground Thrush in its signature one-legged pose

I went back to the fruiting palm to see if the White's Thrush or the Brown-headed Thrush will show up but they did not.  Prof Ferdie Llanes joined me around four thirty. I left a little before five, happy that I was able to bird and get my target, (even with the green blob!). It was a good way to end a stressful week.  Thank you Lord for the opportunity.